A much-loved Burton family-run restaurant could be facing closure with the impending retirement of a husband and wife team after almost 35 years.

Loi and Julie Cheung of Cantonese diner Kwei Ping have announced they are quitting the trade "with immense pride" after more than three decades running the popular town centre restaurant.

And commercial estate agents Rushton Hickman have already announced the first-floor premises could be used for leisure or offices rather than continue as a restaurant.

Loi and Julie say they are hanging up their aprons for good to spend more time with their family and new grandchild after more than three decades in the restaurant trade, which they say has proved increasingly "physically and mentally-taxing."

The Station Street premises, in Burton, are now up to let but the couple has stressed the restaurant will remain open as usual until new occupiers are found.

Kwei Ping in Burton faces an uncertain future (Image: Google)

Commercial estate agent Rushton Hickman is marketing the first floor premises and has said while it is laid out as a restaurant, it could also be used for leisure or offices, which could finally signal the end of Kwei Ping in the town.

Loi Cheung, head chef and co-owner, took over at the Kwei Ping restaurant from another family member almost 35 years ago.

The Kwei Ping name derives from the two brothers who started the business. Since then, husband and wife team Julie and Loi have owned and run the business.

Read More

Food and Drink in Burton and South Derbyshire

The couple admitted that over the last 30 years, like many independent businesses, the restaurant has seen its ups and downs but following a full refurbishment in 2009 and winning a national award last year, the Kwei Ping has remained a firm Burton favourite.

Only last year, Kwei Ping was declared the British Chinese Food Awards Winner 2017 in the Best in Midlands category.

They said it is "with a heavy heart" that they are leaving as the oldest and one of the most popular Chinese restaurants in Burton. They said they had made many friends through the Kwei Ping, which had been a huge part of their lives.

However, the Cheungs said the restaurant business was a "physically and mentally taxing trade with unsocial hours."

Loi and Julie Cheung will be retiring from Kwei Ping in Burton (Image: Kwan Cheung)

Loi Cheung said: "In terms of the industry, there has been a huge increase in competition from national chains, supermarket offerings and heavy discounting along with increased costs for businesses in terms of ingredients and overheads.

"Although these aren't the reasons why we are closing the Kwei Ping, they have certainly been challenging conditions for us and other independent, local businesses to operate in.

"In terms of the business itself, the Kwei Ping has always maintained a loyal customer base who have continued to support us throughout the years, celebrating their birthdays, anniversaries and other special occasions with us.

"Today, we now have a strong Facebook following, great reviews on both TripAdvisor and Google Places and customers are able to view our full menus on our website.

"In the last few years we have also hosted annual charity events raising money for local charities and in November 2017, the Kwei Ping was very proud to win the inaugural Chinese Food Awards national competition for Best in Midlands.

"We're very proud of our accomplishments over the years and we look back with immense pride."

The couple will be spending their retirement with their new grandchild (Image: Contributed/Burton Mail)

The couple say they feel now is the time for them to retire and spend more time with family. They became grandparents for the first time last month and have a daughter living abroad who they plan to visit.

Julie Cheung said: "I would like to thank all our customers throughout the years for supporting us, many of them we would consider close friends.

"We will enjoy our much-deserved retirement when we finally sell, but until then we are continuing to serve the best authentic Cantonese food in Burton. We look forward to seeing you again soon.

History of Kwei Ping

In 1984 the restaurant, which was then situated further along Station Street in ground floor premises, was rocked by an explosion.

It reopened in November of the same year at a new home on the corner of Station Street.

It has remained there ever since.

"The Kwei Ping will be operating business as usual until its sale and we encourage customers to continue to visit us and expect the same high level of service as usual."

Offers for the premises are invited in the region of £16,500 per year exclusive of business rates.

We've launched our very own app for Androidand Appledevices which can be tailored to deliver the news and sport that you're interested in.